GRANTS, N.M. — Local government officials, fire commanders, federal forest officials and members of the public came together Wednesday, May 1, for one of the most somber and candid “Coffee with the Managers” meetings this year, discussing the devastating late April fire that destroyed six homes and underscoring the challenges of wildfire response across Cibola County.
Fire officials began the monthly coffee meeting by breaking down the April 27 fire incident. This discussion was led by Grants Fire and rescue Chief Mike Maes, Village of Milan Fire Chief Daniel Urioste, and Cibola County Fire Marshal Dustin Middleton. The officials recounted the fast-moving blaze that began in a field and quickly spread to nearby trailers and residential properties. Within minutes of arrival, propane tanks began exploding, first responders were overwhelmed with difficult choices on how to direct limited resources.
“Multiple fires, trailers burning, high winds and fireworks going off—this was chaos,” Maes recalled. “We had to prioritize life and property. We were split into three different operations but stayed in constant contact. Ultimately, nobody lost their life that night thanks to our teams.”
Two firefighters suffered injuries during the response, both volunteers. One was hospitalized for overexertion and released the following morning. Another was treated for minor injuries after being caught in debris. Both are expected to recover.
One of the homes which had caught fire had a supply of fireworks inside. The fireworks were ignited by the blaze, sending explosions into the sky and street. Not long after a supply of firearm munitions which were also engulfed inflames began to pop.
Crews described ducking behind vehicles and engines for safety as fireworks shot across streets and bullets began to ignite.
“It was dangerous work, but our firefighters stayed focused,” Maes said. “We were able to stop the fire from jumping to additional blocks, though at one point it very nearly did.”
Because of the gusts and explosions, the fire did jump across the street. Chief Maes said he was grateful the fire didn’t get more out of control than it already was.
As flames spread rapidly through the neighborhood and emergency crews fought to contain the chaos, responders faced another serious challenge: onlookers. Officials said that residents, including children, as well as drivers pulling off Interstate 40, gathered dangerously close to the scene to watch the fire unfold. County Manager Kate Fletcher and Village of Milan Manager Candi Williams both stepped in to assist with crowd control, emphasizing that the presence of so many 'lookeyloos' made the situation even more hazardous. Fire crews were forced to navigate not only exploding ammunition and spreading flames but also people running into the street, which complicated efforts to safely battle the blaze and protect surrounding homes. Officials urged the public to stay back in future incidents to avoid putting both themselves and emergency responders at risk.
A Coordinated Response, but Growing Frustration Over Communication
Dozens of agencies responded, from local, county volunteer fire departments to the New Mexico State Police, the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office, and federal forest officials. The Red Cross was also on hand, assisting displaced residents with temporary housing and necessities.
Despite this coordination, tension surfaced at the meeting over communication gaps—especially with rural residents and other law enforcement agencies. Cibola County Sheriff Larry Diaz questioned federal partners from the US Forest Service why his deputies were unaware of a separate fire in Timberlake, South of Grants that was ongoing at the same time as the Alamo Fire.
The US Forest Service and Cibola County Fire Marshal Dustin Middleton had to correct Sheriff Diaz, the fire in Timberlake was not on federal property, it was in the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Forestry Division, not USFS.
The agencies acknowledged each other’s concerns, with a hope to improve coordination moving forward.
“We have to know immediately,” Sheriff Diaz stressed. “People need time to evacuate. These fires start in minutes and lives are on the line.”
Forest Service representatives explained that sheriff’s deputies do not have the authority to enforce federal fire restrictions but can patrol and relay concerns. However, many in the room agreed more robust communication protocols were needed, especially during red flag conditions.
Drought, Fuel Loads and Forest Health
The meeting also delved into wildfire prevention and the health of the Mount Taylor Ranger District and Cibola National Forest.
US Forest Service Ranger Ryan Washam noted that while the forest is generally healthy, it is experiencing drier-than-usual conditions due to prolonged drought. Dead trees from bark beetle infestations, coupled with overgrown understory and dry grasses, have increased fire risks.
Officials from the Forest Service emphasized the importance of “defensible space,” urging residents to clear 30 feet around homes of any flammable materials such as dry brush, wood fencing or trees.
“This is tough to hear, but it works,” USFS Supervisor Ryan Carbajal said. “You have to take ownership of your property. We can’t guarantee protection if homes are not prepared.”
The US Forest Service offers FireWise safety guidance: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03 /cibola Red Cross and Cibola Response
Red Cross Coordinator Vicky Armijo explained her organization’s role in sheltering and supporting residents displaced by disasters.
Armijo stressed that donations of furniture and homemade food are not accepted during active emergencies due to logistics and safety issues. Instead, the Red Cross works with local restaurants and nonprofits to provide essential support.
“Once the immediate crisis ends, we help with recovery,” Armijo said. “But housing here is a major challenge. There are very limited long-term resources in Cibola County.”
Cibola County Assessor Dolores Vallejos announced that the Cibola County Assessor’s Office will remove the destroyed mobile homes from the tax rolls to assist affected homeowners.
In closing remarks, several local leaders and citizens praised the firefighters and first responders.
“This wasn’t just a fire response — this was a community response,” Village Manager Willaims said. “It’s hard to express the gratitude we all feel.”